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figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out

transitive verb

1
: discover, determine
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve, fathom
figure out a problem

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But with few countries currently accepting visa applications from Haitians, the couple remains in limbo, trying to figure out their next move from a place that feels both like their homeland and a foreign land at the same time. Tania Francois, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025 Officers pinged his cellphone to figure out his general location and used drones that detect body heat to help locate him. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 2025 Even as Silicon Valley tries to figure out the business model for generative AI, Nvidia has a big role to fill in the existing tech services people use every day, Huang said. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025 Thankfully, there is time for the Bills to figure out their issues before the playoffs arrive. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for figure out

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of figure out was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figure out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20out. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

figure out

verb
1
: find out, discover
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve
figure out a problem

More from Merriam-Webster on figure out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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